Crowd Comparison- Late Sept., Oct., Jan.

[mma]

Does anyone know the difference in crowd levels between late Sept., late Oct. and late Jan.? We are thinking about Oct. 28 thru Nov. 4. I know that is during F&W festival but I heard there were only 10min. waits this past year during that time. I am so spoiled by late Sept. that I won't go unless it is not crowded at all. Anyone go this time last year and know of anything extra going on then? I know that Jersey week is the following week. Thanks, Melissa

 

[sonogirl]

I would love to know about that week also, can't go our usual time of Dec. 1st, due to basketballpractice and games.

 

[4greatboys]

Of those 3 Oct will be the busiest with the Food and Wine Festival going on at Epcot and MNSSHP at MK.
Sept is a great time to go. Very low crowds, little to no waiting and if you go the last week you can still get in a night at MNSSHP.
I have not been in Jan but have heard once the New Year crowd is gone its also a very low attendance time.

Of the 3 I would pick end of Sept. Get the low crowds and get to do MNSSHP.

 

[karrit2000]

This will be the first time I am going in late January but I expect it might be even less crowded than late September except for the Expedition Everest Preview. Of the three,
late October is probably the busiest due to Halloween & F&W Festival but I've been several years during that time. The weekends are always the busiest. They already had a lot of the Christmas Decorations up the first week of November this year.

 

[ZoZo]

Just went for a week at the end of October and had a great time! (Except we got the "edges" of the hurricane one morning and they closed the park for 1/2 day!)

Crowds were fairly light - the only long wait for any ride was for Soarin' (which happens no matter what time of year it is). I think it's because it's such a new ride - it might taper off somewhat when the ride is not such a novelty. [Have never experienced those long lines for Soarin' over California at Disney's California Adventure!]

Went to the F&W festival every day during our trip - lines were very bearable. Still recommend making ADRs as far in advance as possible - tried to get a walk-up at Le Cellier and couldn't get in until 9:00 p.m.

Just remember it's hurricane season! It didn't stop us from going, but did cause us some anxiety, because at one point the hurricane was scheduled to go through the area the same day as our arriving flight. Luckily, the storm slowed down and didn't hit until we had been there two days - and it was pretty mild. But you never know!

 

[jwfla422]

We were there that exact time in October/November this year. It was busier than usual at first because many of the hurricane Wilma evacuees hit the resorts and once they left the South Floridian that were fleeing their powerless homes (like us) filled the resorts for the first portion of that week, but it emptied by Halloween and was quite nice.

Epcot was busy especially on weekend nights with the F&W but not as busy at it was when were there the week before Xmas 2 weeks ago. Honestly, I'd go back during that time in Oct. Even though it is probably busier than the other times you mentioned it still is manageable especially at the other parks. DD enjoyed the Halloween party at the BWV/BWI as she didn't want to go to MK's party which was ok with me since it was free and they had some nice activities for the kids along with the treats.

Of course January & Sept will be your slowest months. January may be on the chilly side while Sept will be humid and warm and probably more rainy. Sometimes it can be rainy in January too, so pack accordingly.

 

[IWannaBeAPrincess]

My family has often ran away to Disney when schools are called for FLU in late Jan... (yes they cancel school here if a certain percentage is absent)

Anyway it is always SO nice! We walked onto every ride, pretty much. I love the lack of crowds!

 

[Scottish-Helen]

We went the week beginning October 28th in 2002 and are returning the same week next year as it is DH's birthday. When we went in 2002 everything was a walk on and weather was lovely and warm plus you got the halloween events. I would imagine that this week like all others will be busier now than it was back then but I read reports on the last couple of years before booking again and it looks like it is still a slow week.

I know there was a hurricane in the area at this time this year but I would say that the risk is much less than September and the weather not as cold as January.